Forging dies and die-sets



May 7, 1957 H. B. ALBERS FORGING DIS AND DIE-SETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|v

May 7, 1957 H. B. ALBERS 2,791,138

FORGING DIES AND DIE-SETS Filed June l1, 1954 I5 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 May 7, 1957 H. B. ALBERS 2,791,138

FORGING DIES AND DIE-sms Filed June 11, 1954 `s sheets-sneer s United States Patent O y FORGING DIES AND DIE-SETS Heinrich B. Albers, Malverne, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 11, 1954, Serial No.1436`,142 8 Claims. (Cl. 78-44) This invention relates to forging presses, particularly presses of large capacity. In such presses, an upper die connected to the movable platen through an upper die support or die-set is moved toward the lower die fixed tothe bed by a lower die support or die-set, and largey pressures are exerted to forge the object which is supported upon the lower die. The accuracy of the forging' operation depends upon maintaining a constant relationship between the vertical axes through the centers of the upper and lower dies, usually sol that these axes coincide. However, this is a difficult condition to achieve iny View of the fact that the dies are heated to about 800 \F. Heat expansion is therefore a major factor, particularly since the upper die and' its die-set' expand to a greater degree than the lower die and its support. Uneven expansion of the dies relative to their vertical axes will' result in mismatch of the dies and faulty forging of objects. Efforts have heretofore been made to avoid such mismatch caused by heat expansion. Thus it has been common to provide guide posts on the lower die-set adapted to engage in corresponding holes in the upper dieset; but heat expansion of the upper die and die-set relative to the lower die and'die-set resulted'in deformation of the guide posts. To avoid such deformation,v only one guide post was sometimes` designed for close ft` in its guide, while the remaining post was provided with clearance in its guide; but in= such case, mismatch occurred,

as well as rotation around theclosely fitting post.

It is thereforev one of the principal objects of this invention to providel guiding means which will maintainin constant relationship the vertical axes throughfthe centers'ofthe upper and lower dies while permitting freedom ofl expansiony of the diesrelativeto each other in all directions with respect to said axes.

The expansion of the dies due to heat may result in uneven expansion of the dies on their d-ie-sets. Such uneven expansion may displace the vertical axis through the center of one or both dies and result inmismatch. It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide guide means for each die on its respective diie-set which wiil maintain in constant relationship the vertical axes through the center of each die and its die-setwhile permitting freedom of expansion ofthe dies relative to their die-sets in all directions with respect to said axes.'

As the upper die-set'is mounted on the movableplaten,

and the lower die-set is mounted on the fixed bed, uneven expansion of the die-sets on theplaten or bed dueto heat may cause displacement of the Vertical axes through the centers of' the die and die-sets with resulting mis" match. Itis another object of this invention to maintain the vertical axes through each die and its die-set rela-` tively xed with respect to the platen and the bed whilev permitting freedom of expansion of the die-sets relative to the platenand the bed in all directions with respect to said vertical axes.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description thereof.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is an isometric perspective of portions of a forging press having my invention embodied therein.

Fig. 2 is an isometric perspective of one element of the Fig. 1 disclosure, showing a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 3 is view similar to Fig. 2 showing a second modification of this invention. n

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional through portions of a forging press embodying a third modification of this invention.

Fig. 5 is a section along line S--S of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the theory embodied in the Figs. 4 and 5 form of the invention.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there are shown some of the elements of a. forging press to which my invention is applied. A lower die 10 is supported on a die-set 12 which is in turn supported on the fixed bed 14. The upper die 16 4is supported on a die-set 18 which is in turn supported on the movable platen (not shown). The various parts are fastened together by bolts and nuts (not shown). Some holes and slots for the bolts and nuts are indicated at 13, 15 and 19. V

In operation of the press, the moving platen carries the upper die 16 toward the lower die 10 on which is positionedy the material to be forged. Accurate forging will be obtained so long as the vertical axis A-A through the center of the upper die is maintained in alignment, or other constant relationship, with the vertical axis B--B through the center of the lower die. But, as stated in the introduction hereto, this condition may not prevail because of the heat generated during the forging operations. It is therefore desirable to make provision which will insure constant relationship of the vertical axes of the dies throughout the operation` of the forging press.

The method here employed for accomplishing the foregoing result is to provide guide means between the upper and lower dies along two axes ina horizontal plane, the intersection of said axes occurring in the vertical axes of the dies, and while constraining the dies so that their verticalaxes are in constant relationship, the guide means nevertheless permit expansion of the dies in every direction away from said vertical axes. For this purpose slots 2t), 29 are provided in the die 10 and associated with the horizontal axis C--C, and slots indicated generally at 22, 22 are provided in die 10 and associated with the horizontal axis D-D which latter is disposed at an angie (in this case, at right angles) to axis C--C The slots are open at their outside to provide for lost-motion or play so that keys 23, 23 and 24, 24 carried by the upper die 15 after entering the respective slots are free to move in the direction of their slots but are constrained against movement in other directions. Thus, keys 23, 23 fit the sides of slots 20, 20' closely to prevent movement of die 16 relative to die 10 in the direction of axis D-D, while keys 24, 24 fit the sides of slots 22, 22 closely to prevent relative movement of the dies in the direction of axis C-C. The vertical axis A-A is thus constrained to constant relationship, in this case, alignment, with the vertical axis B-B. However, the upper die 16 can expand freely i11` all directions out'-r wardly from the vertical axis in response to heat because the keys are free to move outwardly in their slots along axes C-C and D-D, respectively. Preferably, the depth of the slots is such that contact between-each'key and'its slot is avoided at the closed end 2'7 ofthe slot so that inward movement is also possible. But such outward or inward movement cannot affect the alignment of the vertical axes A-A and B`B of the dies.

The keys are shown mounted in brackets 26 onthe upper die-set 1S, but it willrbe understood that the keys can be mounted directly on the upperdie 16. Also, the

3 slots can be formed in the lower die-set 12 instead of the die. Further, it will be obvious that the slots may be formed in the upper die assembly, while the keys may be mounted on the lower die assembly. i

To insure maintenance of the centers of the dies and their die-sets in alignment, there may be provided two angularly displaced slots 28 and 30 in the die-set 12 in which operate keys 29 and 31 carried by 'the die. As shown, the slots 28 and 30 preferably coincide with axes C-C and D-D. The keys iit the slots 28 and 30 closely at their sides but the slots are open at their ends to provide lost motion between the keys 29, 31 and the slots 28, 30 so that expansion of the die along both axes C--C and D-D is permitted. It will thus be seen that the axis B-Bis held against movement relative to lthe vertical axis through the center of the die set because expansion movement of the die axis B-B is prevented along axis C-C by engagement of the sides of keys 31 with slot 30, while movement of die axis B--B is prevented along axis DD by engagement of the sides of keys 29 with slot 28. At the same time the die itself is free to expand in all directions relative to axis B-B by the sliding of keys 29 ,and 31 in slots 28 and 30. A similar construction of slots and keys (not shown in Fig. 1) may be provided between the upper die 16 :and its die-set 18 to prevent movement of axis A-A out of center position with respect to the center of its die-set.

The same arrangement described hereinbefore as existing between the dies and their die-sets may be employed between the die-set 12 and bed 14, as well as between the die-set` 18 and the moving platen (not shown). The purpose is similar, i. e., to prevent displacement of axes A-A and B-B from their positions coincident with the centers of the die, die-set and platen or base. Thus even though the axis B-B extends vertically through the centers of the` die and die-set 12, the unsymmetrical heat expansion of the die-set on its base may cause the axis B-B to `move out of alignment with the vertical axis through the base 14. The same means is employed for securing alignment of the die-set and base as was described in connection with securing alignment of the die and its die-set. Slots 32 and 34, similar to slots 2S and 30 and similarly arranged, and keys 33 and 35 similar to keys 29 and 31, are employed. Thus it will be seen that displacement of the axis B-B through the center of the die-set with respect to the center of the base is prevented bythe engagement of the sides of the keys in their slots along axes C-C and D D, while expansion of the die-set on the base in every direction relative to axis B B is freely permitted by the lost motion of the keys in their slots along axes C-C and D-D. A similar arrangement may be provided between the upper die-set 18 and the movable platen, but only the slots 36 and 38 are shown.

The dies and die-sets are shown as substantially quadrilateraal i nn prl z 1n,`and in the Fig. l form of the invention the axes C-C and D-D are shown as parallel to the sides ofthe dies and die-sets. However, other angular relationships may be employed. Thus, in Fig. 2 the slots 20, 20'.and 22, 22 are positioned at the corners of the rectangular die 10 so that the axes C'-C and D-D Iare diagonally disposed radially with respect to the vertical axis B-B. The action is the same as in Fig. 1, the keys engaging the sides of the slots to prevent displacement of the vertical axis B-B from its central position, while permitting expansion of the die in every direction relative to said axis by the lost motion of the keys in their slots, the keys sliding radially outwardly in their slots along axes CL-C and D-D.

The slots 28 and 30 in the die-sets may remain in right angle relation as shown in Fig. 2, or they may be arranged along axes C-C and D- Similarly, the slots in lle base and the platen may be arranged in either relaon.

- In another modification shown inFig. 3, a diterent Still another modification of the principle of this invention is disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5. In these figures, the press-bed is indicated at 50, the lower die-set at 52, the upper movable platen at 54, and the upper die-set at 56.-

The die-sets 52, 56 are provided with hard plates 58, 60'

on which the dies (not shown) will be placed. As in the Fig. 1 form of the invention, alignment of the vertical axes through the centers of the upper and lower dies and7 their associated structures is obtained while allowing' freedom of heat expansionof the die carrying members.` For this purpose, one of the die-sets (in the case shown, the upper die-set 56) is provided with keys or leader pins 70 adapted to engage in key-way members 80. The pins 70 are fastened to the upper die-set on two diagonal axes AOA and BOB (see Fig. 6) extending radially from the vertical center O of the upper die-set, while the keyway members are similarly arranged on the lower dieset. The pins 70 are provided with flat surfaces 74 arranged in planes extending substantially through the center O so that they are radially disposed with respect to such center.. Segments 82, held in key-way members 80 by fillers 86 and flanges 88, tit the flat surfaces 74 closely so that the only movement of pins 70 with respect to center O which can take place is radially with respect to the center, and movement in all other directions is prevented. The curved surfaces 90 of pins 70 cooperate with the curved surfaces of ller members 86, but suticient gap or lost-motion 91 is provided between surfaces 90 and 86 to permit expansion movement of pins 70 radially in the key-way members 80 relative to center O while displacement ot' said icenter in all other directions is prevented.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a die forging press having an upper assembly comprising a movable platen, an upper die-set supported on said platen, and an upper die supported on said upper die-set, and a lower assembly comprising a fixed bed, a lower die-set supported on said bed, and a lower die supported on said lower die-set, each of said assemblies having a central, substantially vertical axis corresponding to the axis of movement of the movable platen when aligned, the improvement which consists in a plurality of guiding devices for maintaining said vertical axes in aligned relationship while permitting expansion of the dies, said guiding devices being disposed on two angularly displaced axes on each assembly intersecting in said vertical axis of the assembly in a substantially horizontal plane perpendicular with respect to said substantially vertical axis, each of said guiding devices comprising means carried by one assembly and cooperating means carried by the other assembly, one of said means being adapted to receive the other means, there being close engagement between said two means in a direction at right angles to the respective axis and lost motion between said two means in the direction of the respective axis.

2.` A forging press as specified in claim 1, in which each of said means comprises a plurality of keys and key-ways on said horizontal axes, the keys being carried by one of the assemblies and the key-ways being carried by the other assembly, the keys being closely guided in said key-ways against movement at right angles to the respective horizontal axis, the key-ways providing play for the keys in the direction of the respective horizontal axis to permit expansion along said respective horizontal axis.

3. A forging press as specified in claim 1, in which one of the elements of each assembly `is quadrilateral, certain of said guiding devices being positioned on one of said horizontal axes of each quadrilateral element which extends through the vertical axis parallel to one side of the element, the remaining guiding devices being positioned ou the other horizontal axis of each quadrilateral element which extends through the vertical axis diagonally to opposite corners of the element.

4. A forging press as specitied in claim 1, in which a plurality of second guiding devices are provided for maintaining the central, substantially vertical axes of each die and its die-set in aligned relationship while permitting expansion `of the die relative to its die-set, said second guiding devices vbeing positioned on each die and die-set on two angularly displaced axes intersecting in the substantially vertical axes of each die and die-set in a substantially horizontal plane perpendicular with respect to said substantially vertical axes for guiding each die on its die-set, each of said second guiding devices comprising positioning means carried by the die and cooperating positioning means carried 'by the die-set, one of said positioning means being ladapted to receive the other positioning means, there being close engagement between said two positioning means in a direction at right angles to the respective axis and lost motion lbetween said two positioning means in the direction of the respective axis.

5. A forging press as specified in claim 4, in which each of said positioning means comprises a plurality of keys and key-ways connecting the Idies and die-sets and positioned on the horizontal axes thereof, the keys being closely guided in the key-Ways against movement at right angles to the respective horizontal axis, the key-ways providing play in the direction of the respective horizontal axis to permit expansion along said respective horizontal axis.

6. A forging press as specied in claim 4, in which a plurality of third guiding devices `are provided for maintaining the central, substantially vertical axes of said diesets and their supports in aligned relationship while permitting expansion of the die-sets relative to said supports, said supports being the moving platen and press bed, respectively, said third guiding devices being disposed on each die-set and support on two angularly displaced axes intersecting in the substantially vertical axis of each dieset and support in a substantially horizontal plane perpendicular with respect to said substantially vertical axes,

each of said third guiding devices comprising locating means carried 'by the die-set and cooperating locating means carried by the support, one of said two locating means being adapted to receive the Vother locating means, there being close engagement between Isaid two locating means in a direction at right angles to the respective axis and lost motion between said two locating means in the direction of the respective axis.

7. A forging press as specied in claim 6, in which each of said locating means comprises a plurality of keys and key-ways carried 'by the die-sets and supports and positioned on said horizontal axes, the keys being closely guided in the key-ways against movement at right angles to the respective horizontal axis, the key-ways providing play in the direction of the respective horizontal axis to permit expansion along said respective horizontal axis.

8. A forging press as specified in claim 1, in which one of the elements of each assembly is quadrilateral, the guiding devices being disposed at opposite ends of the horizontal axes extending through the respective vertical axes diagonally to the opposite corners of said quadrilateral elements, said means comprising a plurality of keys carried by one of said elements and key-ways carried by the other of said elements, each of said keys having hat surfaces, each of said key-ways having flat surfaces engaging the at surfaces of the keys closely to guide the keys against movement at right angles to the respective horizontal axis, the planes of said at surfaces extending radially from said vertical axes, the key-ways providing lost motion in the direction of the respective horizontal axis to permit expansion along said respective horizontal axis.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 747,666 Voigtmann et al Dec. 22, 1903 1,225,788 Dies May 15, 1917 1,265,608 Carpenter May 7, 1918 2,095,985 Huck Oct. 19, 1937 2,118,018 Swanson May 17, 1938 2,148,855 Cannon Fe'b. 28, 1939 2,214,998 Hagemeyer Sept. 17, 1940 2,302,115 Gazey Nov. 17, 1942 2,703,024 Albers Mar. 1,1955 

